What is Chuuk lagoon known for?
Chuuk Lagoon, also known as Truk Lagoon, is a sheltered body of water in the central Pacific. The lagoon lies at about 1,800 kilometres north-east of New Guinea and is halfway between the Philippines and Hawaii. The lagoon is part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and is considered THE mecca for wreck divers.
What happened at Truk Lagoon?
On Feb. 17, 1944, the U.S. Navy commenced Operation Hailstone, a combined air and ground attack that devastated the Japanese position at Truk Lagoon. Over the course of two days, American planes sank approximately 50 Japanese ships, destroyed at least 250 Japanese planes, and killed some 4,500 Japanese personnel.
How was the Chuuk lagoon formed?
The Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae islands were parts of Takashima which are formed by volcanic activity. The Yap Islands were part of Hikushima, which are composed mainly of amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks with minor volcanics.
How many died at Truk Lagoon?
In the battle, 275 Japanese aircraft were shot down or destroyed on the ground, and 80 percent of the supplies on Truk were destroyed, including 17,000 tons of fuel. U.S. losses included one fleet aircraft carrier and a battleship slightly damaged. Forty Americans were killed and 25 aircraft lost.
Why did Truk become Chuuk?
Name. Chuuk means mountain in the Chuukese language. The lagoon was known mainly as Truk (a mispronunciation of Ruk), until 1990. Other names included Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus.
How deep are the wrecks in Truk Lagoon?
100-130ft
There are many wrecks to choose from and many are easily accessible to recreational divers as they lie in depths of 100-130ft (30-40m). The visibility ranges from 40-100ft (12-30m) so at times, you might have a stunning view of entire wrecks.
How deep is the Chuuk Lagoon?
Wrecks sit in depths ranging from 40 feet to 210 feet (12 m to 64 m), and 70 percent of them are within recreational depth limits. Following is a brief description of a few of the best spots for tec diving Chuuk Lagoon, all included on our itinerary.
How many islands make up Chuuk?
Chuuk State is comprised of the collection of volcanic islands within the Chuuk Lagoon and some 24 outer-island atolls –some 290 islands total.
Can you dive Truk Lagoon?
Diving Chuuk Lagoon is a highlight of many recreational and technical divers’ careers, and the wrecks can be explored from either a liveaboard or land-based resort. Truk Lagoon scuba diving is best known for its 60+ World War II wrecks, which easily makes Chuuk Lagoon one of the world’s best wreck diving destinations.
Who owns Chuuk lagoon?
Chuuk Lagoon, previously Truk Atoll, is an atoll in the central Pacific. About 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) north-east of New Guinea, it is located mid-ocean at 7 degrees North latitude and is part of Chuuk State within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
Where is the Chuuk Lagoon in the Pacific Ocean?
Chuuk Lagoon, previously Truk Atoll, is an atoll in the central Pacific. About 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) north-east of New Guinea, it is located mid-ocean at 7 degrees North latitude and is part of Chuuk State within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
How did the Truk Lagoon get its name?
The famous lagoon is located in the central Pacific Ocean which has been known for many years as Truk Lagoon. But the lagoon was renamed in 1990 to Chuuk Lagoon. The name ‘ Chuuk ‘ means mountain in the Chuukese language. Where Chuukese is also given the name Trukese.
Is there a radio station in Chuuk Lagoon?
The government of the state operates a radio station. Interisland communication is often accomplished using citizens’ band radio. Telephone services are limited on Chuuk, though a cellular network is established within some islands of the lagoon and in the near future on the outer islands.
When did people first settle on the Chuuk islands?
It is not known when the islands of Chuuk were first settled, but archaeological evidence indicates that islands of Feefen and Wééné Islands had human settlements in the first and second century BC. Later evidence indicates that widespread human settlements appeared in Chuuk during the 14th century AD.